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Nelson-Butts achieves Eagle Scout rank in Scouting

Ryan Nelson-Butts of Boy Scout Troop 156 in Mountain Home recently became an Eagle Scout. He celebrated his Eagle Court of Honor at the Elks Lodge with more than 100 relatives and friends attending, including many from his scouting family and Mountain Home Schools.

Ryan Nelson-Butts earns Eagle Scout rank

Ryan Nelson-Butts of Boy Scout Troop 156 in Mountain Home recently became an Eagle Scout. He celebrated his Eagle Court of Honor at the Elks Lodge with more than 100 relatives and friends attending, including many from his scouting family and Mountain Home Schools. He is the son David and Geri Butts.

Participants included retired U.S. Marine Gary Smith, who was master of ceremonies; Phil Keplinger, Scoutmaster; Don Shepard and Chris Nosari, Scout leaders and the Rev. Jim McDonald, pastor of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, who served as chaplain. Special guest speakers were Dr. Lonnie Myers, Mountain Home Schools superintendent, and retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Trip Wilson, who was Nelson-Butts' Navy Junior ROTC instructor in 2013.

Special citations were presented to Nelson-Butts by state Sen. Johnny Key and state Rep. Karen Hopper. Other citations and honors were presented by Jerry Montgomery of Alley-White American Legion Post 52 and Sons of the American Revolution, United States Submarine Veterans and the Fleet Reserve Association. Smith presented Nelson-Butts with honors from Sen. Mark Pryor, Gov. Mike Beebe and President Barack Obama.

Nelson-Butts' Eagle Scout Project was renovation and restoration of the Plaza 2000 Veterans Wall in Mountain Home. Nelson- Butts wanted to help veterans who have defended our freedom, and felt that it was something they deserved.

Planning started in June of 2012, and the project was signed off as complete in January 2014 by the North Central Arkansas Veterans Council. Volunteers logged in 963 hours and Nelson-Butts himself logged 177 hours. On Memorial Day, Nelson-Butts and his volunteers were honored for their efforts in restoring the Veterans Wall. On June 5, Nelson-Butts was honored by the Mountain Home City Council by a special resolution. He also received a Local Hero Award nomination and recognition and a the Fleet Reserve Association Patriotic Achievement Award.

Nelson-Butts started scouting as a Bear in Cub Scouts. He crossed over and received his Arrow of Light in 2008. Since joining Troop 156, he as earned 33 merit badges, 84 service hours — in addition to those earned for his Eagle Project — 55 hours of camping, held six leadership positions and attended National Youth Leadership Training at Rogers Scout Reservation. He plans to continue with scouting as a mentor to the other scouts in Troop 156 until he graduates from Mountain Home High School.

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